chapter Nine

“ well , you'll just have to trust me and I've accepted the offer . I don't want the reputation of not keeping my word .And least I forget I haven't given a response to your proposal of a relationship yet ”. Alicia finally responded her answer seemed to have doused the fire in his eyes .

Dimitri's eyes softened and he chuckled “ I seem to have forgotten that fact you must forgive me . I don't mind you working but you don't need to I am willing to foot your every need and want for luxury ” .

Good I have him where I want Alicia thought to herself .

“ I know you can do that and even more but I still want to work . And it's strictly business , and you and I know you'll have eyes watching me at the office ”

Dimitri nodded and raised his hands “ you've caught me okay I'll trust you but seriously what do I need to do to make you mine . Whatever the cost I'm willing to bear the cost to met any requirement to officially make you my woman”

His sweet words tugged at the corner of her heart threatening the foundation of the wall she had built mentally to shield herself from the deciet of men .

“ I just need time to be sure and as for what you can do to make me fall for you it's completely up to discretion” .

Dimitri smiled “ you're a difficult woman Alicia , but that makes you more interesting ” . The car came to halt at a five star restaurant.

Alicia looked at Dimitri questionly he shrugged “ let's have brunch ,I'll like to steal moments of your time today ”.

“ That's fine , I actually skipped breakfast today ”.

Dimitri nodded and came down from the car , opening her door for her to get down . He addresed his driver briefly “ I'll beep you once we're ready to leave ” .

He held her hand protectively as they walked into the restaurant , this is the second high class restaurant Alicia had visited in her life Blucuban inclusive . The waiters and attendants seemed to know him . A middle aged man dressed in an attendant's uniform led them up to a table “ welcome sir , miss ” he nodded respectfully “ may I take your order? ”. He said holding a pen and little note pad ready to scribble down their order .

Dimitri rolled his eyes “ I told you several times John call me Dimitri .” the man's eyes sparkled “ of course I will , I see you have company ” he said his gaze on Alicia.

“ Yes this the lovely Alicia my girlfriend” Alicia's heart fluttered at being claimed by such a powerful billionaire when the past seven years of her life had been spent with no validation from her ex boyfriend Tristan.

“ Nice to meet you miss may I call you Alicia ” , “ yes of course , nice to meet you too John ” she smiled warmly .

“ Okay stop ogling my girl , take her order and leave Mister ” Dimitri said playfully . They laughed lightly , Alicia picked up the menu “ I'll get the chef's signature steak and potatoes ”.

John bowed respectfully and turned to take their order to the kitchen . “ You're really something you know ?” Alicia met Dimitri intense gaze “ what do you mean ?”.

“ You're not like the others , you treated him so respectfully although he is just a server . I've found one more reason to like you even more ”.

Alicia laughed slightly.

“ I'm a simple girl Dimitri , I grew up in a foster home and I've had to fight my way through life . I've also worked as a server in the past and it's honorable I've learnt to respect everyone regardless of their status and position regardless of how it seems we're all doing our best ”

“ Wow , that's really smart and if that's your outlook to life it's a really beautiful way to view people . Where have you been my whole life Alicia ” . Alicia blushed at his praise feeling shy and a little akward .

“ So before I go further with my plans of making you mine . Your break up with Tristan is very recent and you were together for seven years , I want to make sure you're emotionally ready for a full time blown relationship with me”

Alicia took a sip of water her heart actually physically ached remembering Tristan and as she quietly searched her heart she realized she still has love for him but she isn't in love with him anymore. She now knew she was worth so much more and the only thing the man was a parasite sent to suck out all the bright and lovely colors out of her life .

She took a breath , as she opened her mouth to speak the waiter arrived with their order. And they started eating , they ate quietly enjoying the comfortable silence .

“ Is it too early to drink wine ? ” Dimitri asked lightly . “ No I guess there's no rules to it ” .He signalled to the waiter “ your best bottle of wine please”.

The waiter brought the wine and served . As soon as he left Dimitri brought it up again “ you're yet to give an answer to my question ? Are you ready to be in another committed relationship ”.

Alicia took a sip of wine “ yes , I am I've made peace with my past and left it where it belongs ” .

“ Good , although I'll suggest therapy I book a session with the best for you every weekend if you're open to it ”. Tears stung Alicia's eyes why is he being so understanding and sweet , I didn't expect this from him .

“ Did I say something wrong? ”

“ No not at all ” she gave him a weak smile “ you said everything right ” she chuckled softly. Dimitri smiled in response .

They were so lost in each other's company they didn't notice the man approaching their table . “ Dimitri , I didn't expect to see you here ” even without turning her head Alicia recognized the speaker and immediately froze.

Dimitri got up and they shook hands “ Alexander Kings it's been a while , we hardly see you outside these days you need to come out more often ”.

“I will ,I just need to tidy a few more things and my schedule will relax ” he noticed Alicia and arched his eyebrow in a questioning look.

“ This is my girlfriend Alicia. She informed me today that she got a job as your personal assistant ” Alicia felt like the ground should open up and vomit her in a safe location away from this akward moment .

“ Yes , she'll be starting tomorrow . Fancy running into you two here I would have never guessed . Small world they say ”. “ Yeah I guess ”.

Okay “ I'll leave you two , I have a business meeting with a contractor bidding for contract my company is offering . He'll be arriving any time soon .” He and Dimitri shook hands again and he nodded in acknowledgement to Alicia “ see you at the office tomorrow ”.

When he finally left Alicia felt like she could breathe well . What the heck , that was random and Dimitri called me his girlfriend in front of him . Not like I should care but it's not an option I'd have opted for .

“Glad I've marked my territory , he now knows whose you are ” Alicia couldn't respond even though she willed herself to. She just gave a nervous smile and they continued drinking wine .

“ Alicia ?” A male voice spoke causing both Alicia and Dimitri to turn to look in his direction.

Of all the odds what was he doing here !?